The Redlands Performing Arts Center is no more. In
its place will be a retail shop, said Calvin McLean.

The small theater on Vine Street, tucked inside
and behind the larger Fox Theater, was being cleaned out Wednesday, in preparation for its
changed role.

An apparent misunderstanding, and lack of funds,
were singled out as the culprits in the collapse of the heralded Performing Arts Center.
George Henderson, who worked with RPAC leader Lee Clark, blamed the requirement for a
$30,000 sprinkler system, which had to be installed before the group could produce its
planned events.

Operating on a shoestring, the RPAC group had
hoped to produce events to raise funds to help in the renovation of the small theater, he
said. Only one event, a haunted theater in October, was produced.

McLean said the lease RPAC signed included the
fact the group would be responsible for repairing the interior of the Rainbow. "We
gave them the property 'as is,'" McLean said.

"The agreement in the lease was they'd do
whatever work was necessary."

McLean said he understood RPAC had support from
many people and groups, but that the support "fell through."

Henderson said RPAC had "tremendous
support" locally and that, with the help of Redlands Conservancy and the YWCA, had
managed the rent for November. He was working with Clark "as a volunteer" to put
on a benefit to help RPAC with its expenses.

However, the inability to produce funds for the
sprinklers meant the play planned for December, and the January productions, had to be
canceled.

Henderson said he felt the responsibility for a
working sprinkler system should be that of the building's owner. He criticized McLean for
not taking responsibility for repairing the sprinklers.

Bob Clark, head of Redlands Conservancy, said his
group had helped RPAC by allowing the arts group to use the Conservancy's 501C number.
That let RPAC collect funds and hold them for distribution as needed for rent and repairs.

Clark (no relation to Lee Clark) said the
Conservancy had done that with at least one other nonprofit group because it takes so long
for an organization to get the paperwork cleared to receive its own number.

He also said he thought the owners of the Fox
"expected more than (RPAC) could do."